Angels in our midst!

In this season of miracles and giving, I was humbled and honored last week when my boss and colleagues presented me with an abundance of Harris Teeter gift cards … enough to sponsor 6-7 breakfasts or 3-4 dinners. There are not many times I find myself speechless, but I couldn’t talk through all the tears.  I was so touched by their sincerity and generosity.

I shared the news of my co-workers' thoughtfulness with my officers today.  I wanted them to know they had secret angels in their midst.  One Sgt. commented … “What a generous gift from your co-workers; it gives us a sense of appreciation the community has for us.”

Through your gift to me, you honored them.  You let them know, loud and clear, that they are appreciated!

You are all angels, I say, angels!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

      

Real maple syrup from Vermont...and all is right with the world!

What an amazing month this has been.  My friends and colleagues have been so gracious with their time and their gifts  to help support my breakfast and dinners.  I am posting yet another example of a gracious and giving heart.  

An enormous thank you to my friend and colleague, Kate B, for the special surprise I received in the mail.  Kate lives in Vermont, where all the great real maple syrup comes from.  I can finally say, without hesitation, that real maple syrup is the bomb!  A week after my video was unveiled, a special package arrived.  I saw that it was from Kate and couldn't figure out what she could be sending me (she usually gives me a heads-up when she sends business mail.)

Well....Oh. My. Gosh!  Kate had sent my officers a half-gallon of Carman Brook Maple & Dairy Farm real maple syrup.  Kate saw the syrup bottles in the video and wanted my officers to have a special treat. Not only was it a special treat for them, it was for me too -- I have never had real maple syrup before.  Shocking, isn't it!! 

Thank you Miss Kate.  Your syrup was christened with the debut of my pumpkin spice pancakes.  Everybody loved it and my officers and I all agree...there is nothing like real Vermont maple syrup.
  

Carman Brook  Maple & Dairy Farm

Click here for yummy maple syrup recipes!

A big thank you to the big hearts at Olive Garden – Pineville, NC

I would like to thank the Olive Garden for their awesome contribution towards my Tuesday night dinner last week.  I made Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and with that, of course, you must have a salad.  I mentioned to a friend and colleague about how blah my salads seem to be and how much time two heads of lettuce take to clean, then spin, then drain -- spin, drain, spin, drain, spin, drain!  It takes a LONG time – for me anyway! 

Before I knew it, my friend (thank you, Val) was on the phone to the Olive Garden asking about their service to the community and if they ever donate to causes, etc.  Without hesitation, the manager said they would love to help and donated two HUGE salads and two dozen breadsticks.  The salads were so big, I was able to extend an invitation for leftovers on Wednesday night and had one large salad to serve.  Six officers stopped by Tuesday night and another five on Wednesday. 

Thank you Olive Garden for extending your big heart beyond your restaurant walls.  Every officer who sat at my table thanks you also.  Your salad and breadsticks were an extra special treat! 

Spiced Iced Tea

Every now and then an officer will ask me for my sweet tea recipe. A few have called it 'the best tea in Charlotte'. Well, I don't know about all that, but I'm glad they like it. It has just a hint of spice that will leave your guests a little puzzled. They know there is something different about it, but they can't quiet figure it out.  

I hope you enjoy it too!  

Spiced Iced Tea

• 1 Bigelow ‘Constant Comment’ tea bags (flavored w/ sweet spice)  
• 3 family size Luzianne tea bags 
• 1 cup sugar
• Two quart tea pitcher

Remove the paper tags from each tea bag.  Put all 4 tea bags in the filter holder of your coffee maker. I will usually put the regular family tea bags on the bottom and the spiced tea bag on top. I don't know if it makes any difference, but that’s what I do. Pour 8 cups of cold water in the water reservoir and brew. 

Note:  If your family or guests like the spice flavor, try two Bigelow tea bags and 3 regular family tea bags. I have made it both ways, but usually just one.

Put one cup sugar in your two quart tea pitcher.  Pour the hot brewed tea in the pitcher w/ the sugar and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add cold water to the 2 quart line. Stir again and chill.  If I need to serve pronto, I'll add ice cubes to the hot tea and stir until ice melts.  Then add water to the 2 quart line, if needed.

I usually brew 'decaffinated' tea because, unlike coffee, I can't tell a difference from the caffeinated. Use whatever brand you enjoy -- it doesn't have to be Luzianne. 

THREE Family Size Tea Bags

ONE Constant Comment Tea Bag